Although often referred to as the "Chatham" coach this vehicle was
actually built for the newly formed Southern Railway by the Metropolitan
Carriage, Wagon & Finance Company of Birmingham. In design, however, it is
almost identical to vehicles built by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway for
Boat Train traffic to and from the London Termini and Dover or Folkestone. As
befitted this prestigious traffic the vehicle is well appointed, even though
Third Class, with spacious vestibules (for easy maneuvering of baggage)
comfortable seats, ample luggage racks and coat hooks, Pullman type gangways and
bi-lingual notices. Originally the doors opened inwards, but were re-hung to
open outwards in 1947-48.

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This is one of only two surviving
SE&CR "matchboard" carriages of its
type, so called because of the distinctive vertical panelling below the
waistrail. It survived in regular traffic until July 1961 when the fleet was
withdrawn following electrification of the route. After withdrawal it was stored
at Ardingly, Sussex. It was purchased for £ 250 in July 1962 by Mr. Roy Edwards for use on the proposed Westerham Valley Railway
preservation scheme. This failed to materialise and instead the coach came to
the Worth Valley Railway, being delivered by rail to Keighley in January 1965.
The carriage was moved from Keighley to Haworth on 6th March 1965. It was used as part of the Worth
Valley Railway's Re-Opening train on 29th June 1968, ownership of the carriage
transferring to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society.

Several years later the railway had acquired more modern vehicles and 3554
was purchased by the Vintage Carriages Trust in June 1972 for the sum of £1. The years of wear and tear had
taken their toll and a large amount of repair had to be undertaken, including
treatment of dry and wet rot damage immediately above the toilet compartment.

In 1991 the carriage was repainted in early Southern Railway Sage Green
livery following further restoration work and shortly afterwards all the seating
was re-upholstered, using an authentic pattern of specially woven moquette, by
the Bluebell Railway,
in return for the loan of the coach.

Essentially fully restored, the coach is used occasionally during Vintage
Train weekends.

This carriage visited the National
Railway Museum,York during May / June 2004 for the Railfest celebrations.

Reglazed and repainted into BR
Carmine and Cream during winter 2010/2011. Completed February 2011.